gemstone

Tumbled citrine quartz (probable)

Quartz, SiO₂; yellow coloration likely from iron impurities or heat treatment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; transparent to translucent yellow, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage. The rounded shape indicates tumbling or polishing; internal planar-looking marks may be fractures or surface reflections.

Identified September 12, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes mainly in igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic environments; citrine is uncommon naturally and commonly produced by heat-treating amethyst or smoky quartz. Quartz ranges from Precambrian to modern geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used as an inexpensive jewelry and lapidary stone, ornamental tumbled material, and collector specimen. Commercial value is usually modest unless the color is natural, vivid, and well documented.

Geological facts

Yellow glass, calcite, amber, and heat-treated quartz can look similar; the photograph alone cannot confirm identity. Natural citrine typically has warm golden tones, while treated material may be strongly orange-yellow.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, Zambia, and Russia. Confirm with a gemologist using refractive index (about 1.544–1.553), hardness testing, and magnification; avoid scratching the specimen.